She set up the Shelton Memorial Committee in honour of archaeologist JB Shelton and between 1977 and 2005 she wrote nine books about her subject.

The mother of two retired from her post of city archaeologist at the end of 2000 but she continued work lecturing and in consultancy.

Louise Dodd chairwoman of the Coventry and District Archaeological Society said: “On a personal note, she was a formidable lady but with a quick wit and a wicked sense of humour.

“She always had the time to talk to you and help you and what she didn’t know about her subject really wasn’t worth knowing. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.”

Nigel Clews, assistant director – property asset management at Coventry City Council, said: “Margaret was one of the pioneering figures of Coventry’s archaeology, carrying out digs at the Lunt, the Charterhouse, Broadgate and the Priory.

“Her 50 years of involvement with the city’s history made a massive contribution to our knowledge and she will be greatly missed.”